CAN 2023: Algeria, Mauritania and Tunisia (almost) play for their survival
In the event of a defeat, they may not be eliminated but Algeria, Mauritania and Tunisia, who did not win in their first match, already have their backs against the wall when they make their second outing this Saturday.
Today’s matches @ Eastafricanreport.com
With qualification for the round of 16 of the CAN for the four best third-placed teams, we can, like Gambia in Group C, lose their first two matches and stay alive. But Algeria hopes to avoid this big risk. The Fennecs paid the price two years ago in Cameroon. After an entry draw against Sierra Leone (0-0) and a defeat against Equatorial Guinea (0-1), they retained a slim hope of securing qualification against Ivory Coast. We know the rest…
A nightmarish sequel that Belmadi and his players want to avoid for two more years in Ivory Coast. However, this is not a foregone conclusion. Because after the draw against Angola (1-1), the Algerians face a solid team from Burkina Faso. The Stallions won their first match against Mauritania (1-0). They know Algeria well. Their oppositions were often very choppy and close (3d, 3v, 3n for each). The last two ended without a winner (1-1 and 2-2).
Mauritania aims for its first success in CAN
In this group D, Mauritania is also playing for its survival. After seven matches in the African Cup of Nations (CAN), the Mourabitounes have not yet enjoyed a single success. The setback against the Stallions on a penalty in the last minute of added time puts their backs against the wall when facing Angola. There are not a thousand options for Amir Abdou and his players; they must win to stay alive. In 2019, the two nations already shared the same group and they parted 0-0.
Finally to end the day, in group E Tunisia, dominated 1-0 by Namibia when it entered the fray, must bounce back against Mali, winner of South Africa 2-0. These are the two selections that know each other best. This face-to-face this evening will in fact be their sixth in less than four years. They met in the last two editions of the CAN in the group stage for a draw at Egypt 2019 (1-1) and a Malian success full of controversies at Cameroon 2021 (1-0).
